Apple Inc to open its first Apple Store in Taiwan
23 Jul 2016
Apple Inc plans to open its first Apple Store in Taiwan, a move that comes after the US technology giant raised $1.38 billion in a bond offering last month in the country which is home to many companies in its supply chain.
Apple was seeking "a leader for personnel training plans for the Taiwan Apple Store" as also other retail positions pointing to its plan for a team in Taiwan, according to job postings dated Friday on Apple's website.
The Cupertino, California-based company confirmed it planned to open the first Apple Store in Taiwan, but did not provide further details.
The Apple Store grosses the highest sales per square foot in the industry, however, according to some, the stores had lost their edge since the first one opened 15 years ago.
The company's popular iPhones saw their first ever sales decline in the second quarter as the firm struggled with an increasingly saturated smartphone market.
Apple's Greater China revenue, which included Hong Kong and Taiwan, plummeted 26 per cent in its second fiscal quarter from a year earlier. Apple did not offer a break up for revenue in Taiwan, but company executives said in April that the decline had to do with revenue from Hong Kong.
Taiwan is the last country in the "Greater China" region to have an Apple retail footprint. Apple had initially set up shop in Hong Kong, and has since pushed deeper into the mainland, with over 40 locations spread around major cities.
Apple suppliers like Catcher, Foxconn, Largan, and TSMC are Taiwan-based, though, the bulk of Foxconn's manufacturing is done in mainland China due to cheaper costs and a larger labour pool. People wanting to buy Apple products in Taiwan had so far had to order online or find a third-party retailer.
Meanwhile, Apple yesterday revealed plans to launch its long-awaited Brooklyn outlet in New York City, which would open on 30 July.
